Stakeholder Institutions & Governance Actors

Term

Description

Scope

AIM (European Brands Association)

Brussels, Belgium, 1960. Represents branded consumer goods manufacturers, many of whom are fashion or textile brands. They advocate for a level playing field and consistent application of rules across sectors.

European-Level Industry Associations

Apparel Impact Institute (Aii)

San Francisco, California, USA, 2017. Works on decarbonisation and environmental data tools used by fashion companies.

Global & International Fashion/Brand Associations

B Lab (Certifies B Corps)

Berwyn, Pennsylvania, USA, 2006. While broader than fashion, many fashion brands are B Corps, and the rigorous environmental criteria for B Corp certification align with the spirit of the Green Claims Directive.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)

Geneva, Switzerland, 2009. Promotes more sustainable cotton farming practices, relevant for claims about cotton products.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

BEUC (The European Consumer Organisation)

Brussels, Belgium, 1962. Represents consumer associations across Europe and has been a leading voice for clearer and more trustworthy environmental claims.

NGOs and Consumer Protection Groups

Bluesign®

St. Gallen, Switzerland, 2000. Focuses on optimizing the entire textile production process to reduce environmental impact.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

British Fashion Council (BFC)

London, United Kingdom, 1983. Although the UK is no longer in the EU (May 2025), the BFC and similar national bodies often monitor EU legislation due to its significant market influence and potential for alignment.

National-level Industry Associations

CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries)

Brussels, Belgium, 1992. While primarily paper, packaging is crucial for fashion products, and CEPI's involvement highlights the interconnectedness of supply chains and environmental claims.

European-Level Industry Associations

Changing Markets Foundation

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2015. Published damning reports on fashion greenwashing and sustainability claims.

NGOs and Consumer Protection Groups

Circle Economy

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2011. Dutch think tank offering data and policy support for circular textiles.

Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives and Think Tanks

CIRFS (The European Man-Made Fibres Association)

Brussels, Belgium, 1955. Represents the European man-made fiber producers. They are closely involved because the directive impacts claims made about materials and their environmental attributes.

Fashion focus

Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC)

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1989. Focuses on human rights and sustainability; critical of voluntary industry initiatives.

NGOs and Consumer Protection Groups

CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers)

Brussels, Belgium, 1959. Occasionally involved in textile-related sustainability debates, especially concerning interior fabrics.

European-Level Industry Associations

ClientEarth

London, United Kingdom, 2007. Environmental law charity that often engages in legal analysis and advocacy on EU environmental policies.

NGOs and Consumer Protection Groups

Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry (Gesamtverband textil+mode)

Berlin, Germany, 1949. Represents German textile and fashion companies and contributes to the European discussion.

National-level Industry Associations

Cradle to Cradle Certified®

Oakland, California, USA, 2005. A standard for products that are safe, circular, and responsibly made.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

ECOS (Environmental Coalition on Standards)

Brussels, Belgium, 1993. Focuses on pushing for scientifically robust environmental labelling frameworks.

NGOs and Consumer Protection Groups

EURATEX (The European Apparel and Textile Confederation)

Brussels, Belgium, 1996. This is the most prominent European-level association for the textile and clothing industry. EURATEX actively lobbies and provides detailed input on all EU policies affecting the sector, including the Green Claims Directive. They advocate for harmonized rules, clear definitions (e.g., for recycled content), and a proportionate regulatory burden.

European-Level Industry Associations

European Bioplastics

Berlin, Germany, 2005. As the fashion industry increasingly explores bio-based materials, this association is relevant for claims related to compostability, biodegradability, and bio-content.

European-Level Industry Associations

European Environmental Bureau (EEB)

Brussels, Belgium, 1974. A large network of environmental citizens' organizations that has actively campaigned for a strong Green Claims Directive.

NGOs and Consumer Protection Groups

European Fashion Alliance (EFA)

Brussels, Belgium, 2022. A coalition of European fashion councils and organisations advocating for sustainable and innovative fashion.

European-Level Industry Associations

EUROPEN (European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment)

Brussels, Belgium, 1992. Given the extensive use of packaging in fashion, EUROPEN's stance on environmental claims for packaging is relevant.

European-Level Industry Associations

Fair Wear Foundation

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1999. While primarily social, aspects of responsible production can indirectly influence environmental claims.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

Fashion for Good

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2017. Amsterdam-based initiative focused on scaling sustainable fashion innovations and influencing policy.

Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives and Think Tanks

Fashion Pact

Paris, France, 2019. Coalition of major brands focused on climate, biodiversity, and oceans. Not a trade group, but influential in brand-aligned policy positioning.

Global & International Fashion/Brand Associations

French Fashion & Haute Couture Federation (Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode)

Paris, France, 1973. France has its own strict anti-greenwashing law (AGEC), and the federation has been vocal about alignment.

National-level Industry Associations

German Fashion Modeverband Deutschland e.V.

Berlin, Germany, 1949. Represents German fashion producers; involved in discussions on product environmental claims.

National-level Industry Associations

Global Fashion Agenda (GFA)

Copenhagen, Denmark, 2016. Hosts the Global Fashion Summit. Provides policy recommendations, white papers, and sustainability insights relevant to the Directive.

Global & International Fashion/Brand Associations

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Stuttgart, Germany, 2006. A leading processing standard for organic fibers, directly impacting claims related to organic textiles.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

MODINT (Netherlands)

Zeist, Netherlands, 1907. Dutch trade association for fashion, textiles, interiors; active in sustainability policy discussions.

National-level Industry Associations

OEKO-TEX®

Zurich, Switzerland, 1992. Offers various certifications, including for harmful substances (STANDARD 100) and sustainable production (STeP).

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

SAC (Sustainable Apparel Coalition)

San Francisco, California, USA, 2011. Developers of the Higg Index, a suite of tools for measuring environmental and social sustainability across the supply chain. The Green Claims Directive's focus on robust data for claims makes their work highly relevant.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

Sistema Moda Italia (SMI)

Milan, Italy, 1945. One of Europe’s largest fashion industry associations; very active in Green Deal-related matters.

National-level Industry Associations

SMEunited

Brussels, Belgium, 1996. Represents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. Their involvement is critical as many fashion brands and manufacturers are SMEs, and the directive's impact on their compliance capabilities is a key concern.

European-Level Industry Associations

Textile ETP (Textile European Technology Platform)

Brussels, Belgium, 2004. Focuses on textile innovation, often involved in green transition discussions.

European-Level Industry Associations

Textile Exchange

Lubbock, Texas, USA, 2002. A global non-profit that works with industry to accelerate sustainable practices in the textile value chain. They develop standards (e.g., for recycled content) that are relevant to substantiating claims under the Green Claims Directive. Often provides input on traceability and labelling in policy contexts.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

The EU Ecolabel

Zurich, Switzerland, 1992. As an official EU voluntary label, its methodology and criteria serve as a benchmark and will be impacted by the Green Claims Directive's rules on environmental labeling.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations

The Policy Hub – Circularity for Apparel and Footwear

Brussels, Belgium, 2021. A joint effort by SAC, Textile Exchange, and ZDHC to represent apparel industry views in EU policymaking.

Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives and Think Tanks

UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT)

London, United Kingdom, 1915. Though the UK has left the EU, it often aligns with EU discussions, especially regarding exports.

National-level Industry Associations

Union des Industries Textiles (UIT) (France)

Paris, France, 1900. Actively involved in national initiatives like the French Textile Eco-score, which aligns with the spirit of the Green Claims Directive. Their experience influences the broader European approach.

National-level Industry Associations

Zalando Sustainability Circle

Berlin, Germany, 2019. European online retailer-led consortium responding to EU greenwashing and transparency legislation.

Global & International Fashion/Brand Associations

ZDHC Programme (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals)

Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2011. Focuses on safer chemical management, a key aspect of environmental claims in textiles.

Sustainability & Certification Organizations